Wood dust particles: Environmental pollutant in Nigerian sawmill industries

Abstract

Oluwatosin Adediran Adeoye, Adeleye Abiodun Adeomi, Adefi soye O. Adewole, Oluwaseyi K. Israel, Abiola O. Temitayo-Oboh, Sunday Olakunle Olarewaju

Background: Wood dust is made of wood shavings from machining wood in sawmills and it becomes potential health problem when inhaled. This study assesses concentration of wood dust particulate matter resulting from wood processing in sawmills. Methods: It is a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out in 84 sawmills in Osun State, Nigeria in January, 2013. Samples of total suspended particulate matter of sizes 0.5 μm, 1 μm, and 5 μm were measured with GT-321 Particle Counter. Two samples were taken at 1 h interval from each sawmill sites during work hours. Air sampling was also done in 84 welder workshops to compare results. A walk through survey was conducted in 10 sawmills to assess the usage of personal protective equipment (PPE). Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 16. P value was set at <0.05. Results: Mean value of dust size of 0.5 μm of 305445.9 ± 104255.6 particles/m3 at the sawmill sites was significantly (P = 0.001) more than the welders’ workshops (134638.7 ± 10074.7 particles/m3). Dust sizes of 1 μm and 5 μm in the sawmill sites (145332.0 ± 110201.6 and 19792.1 ± 15102.5 particles/m3 respectively) were also significantly (P < 0.05) higher than dust in the welders’ workshops (33485.0 ± 3549.2 and 927 ± 157.0 particles/m3). None of the observed workers used appropriate PPE. Conclusion: Total Suspended Particles in sawmill environments are high and could cause pulmonary and nonpulmonary impairment. Lack of preventive measures such as use of PPE will enhance susceptibility to this hazard. Measures should therefore be undertaken to control dust in sawmills as well as provide PPE for workers.